GUELPH ON [March 28, 2024] – The Waterloo Federation of Agriculture (WFA) and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) have been working intently with space farmers to collect details about the quickly evolving land use state of affairs unfolding in Wilmot Township.
Farmers and landowners together with vegetable, grain and dairy farmers have acquired gives from a US-based consulting agency, appearing on behalf of the Area of Waterloo to buy 770 acres of prime agricultural land. The said goal is to rezone this land for industrial use and embark on a big financial funding and growth undertaking.
Nic Weber, President of the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture expresses deep disappointment within the course of. “Area farmers and urban counterparts in Waterloo have enjoyed a 30-year history of positive working relationships and communications, working to achieve a balance of both protecting farmland and ensuring a thriving, vibrant urban community,” says Weber. “There has not been adequate consultation with local communities or consultation with landowners. We need to take the appropriate steps to ensure a thoughtful, long-term planning approach is taken to ensure a healthy productive farming sector for generations to come,” explains Weber.
OFA continues to encourage and advocate using nicely established greatest planning practices that promotes a harmonious use of our panorama for each the pursuits of at the moment and tomorrow.
“We understand the urgency of the situation in Wilmot Township and remain concerned about the accelerating loss of farmland in Ontario. We are committed to achieving our goal of Farms and Food Forever, ensuring prime agricultural land in the area is maintained and protected, while supporting growth opportunities and economic development in areas that are best suited,” says Drew Spoelstra, OFA President. “OFA strongly supports rural economic development where it does not undermine our precious and finite agricultural resources.”
The WFA has been working intently with the group of landowners straight affected by the proposed rezoning and growth undertaking, sharing info and assist, and has been reaching out to all potential channels of assist together with all three ranges of presidency. They encourage members of the group with issues to achieve out and share them with municipal councillors, Mayors, regional councillors, and the regional Chair in addition to their provincial consultant at Queen’s Park (Member of Provincial Parliament).
The WFA and OFA proceed to hunt the chance to have interaction in discussions with authorities to establish different areas for this growth and rezoning to happen, the place lack of productive farmland will be minimized.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) represents 38,000 farm households throughout the province and serves because the main advocate and strongest voice of Ontario’s farmers. As a dynamic farmer-led group, the OFA represents and champions the pursuits of Ontario farmers via authorities relations, farm coverage suggestions, analysis, foyer efforts, group illustration, media relations and extra.
The Waterloo Federation of Agriculture (WFA) is certainly one of 51 county and regional federations supported by OFA throughout the province. Waterloo Federation of Agriculture represents the voice of agriculture in the area people and advocates on behalf of farm households within the Area of Waterloo on native agricultural points. The aim of WFA is to advertise the farm group in assist of the innovation, exhausting work and compassion that’s emblematic of the Area.
For extra info:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
519-821-8883 ext. 218
[email protected]
